Help with celler hole finds

[cellerfeller]

Got out for a short dig the other day at at an old family homestead site that goes back 200 years. Found some old buggy parts but this hand forged piece with the notches cut into it has me stumped. It is 5 1/2" long with 2" staples on either end. Would it have something to do with logging? Part of an old wagon jack? The nail is interesting - looks like a square naill with a heavy machined head. I was wondering if I could get an opinion on it and perhaps an age range.

 

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[Wildcat1750]

Boot scraper?

 

[cudamark]

Ice cleat for a boot?

 

[BIGSCOTT]

i like the boot scraper Idea, Brad Martin found something simalar
after researching it turned out to ba half of a button mold.

 

[gunsil]

It's a dog. Woodworking pinch dog. Google "antique woodworking dog" and you will see others. Yours has interesting pattern on the top, but it is still a dog. Never saw a boot scraper that didn't have a straight edge.

 

[cellerfeller]

I have used bench dogs and hold fasts - had a blacksmith make me some holdfasts - they go into a hole in the bench - this one would be pounded into something. I have never seen a holdfast or a dog with the two pointed ends - seems more like something that would be used for logging or part of a wagon or sled. The hole it came from had buggy parts and wagon parts in it.

 

[RTR]

Nice looking square nail you got there 1700s -1800s some info > https://inspectapedia.com/interiors/Nails_Hardware_Age.php